of flying-fish that it was marvellous.[93] We took some which fell on
board our ship. They have the shape like that of a herring; the fins
much larger, and are very good to eat.
[93] Flying-fish. Exocetus volitans (Linn.)
There are certain fish as large as barrels, which are called
"tribons,"[94] which follow the flying-fish to eat them; and when the
flying-fish find that they cannot otherwise avoid them, they spring
from the water and fly about five hundred paces, and by this means they
save themselves from the said "tribon."
[94] Tiburon (Span.) Shark, probably confounded with the bonito,
which with the dorade (sparus aurata) is the mortal enemy of the
flying-fish.
I must also say that on the south-south-east side of the said channel
of Bahan is seen the island of St. Domingo, of which I have before
spoken, which is very fine and commercial in hides, ginger, and
casse-tabac, which is otherwise called petun,[95] or the queen's herb,
which is dried and then made into little cakes. Sailors, even the
English, and other persons use it, and take the smoke of it in
imitation of the savages.
[95] Most likely "canasse," or canaster tobacco, or
petun-nicotiana tabacum (Linn.) Nicot, who first introduced
tobacco in France, called it "herbe a la reine," or the queen's
herb. The term "petuner" was often used formerly instead of
"fumer," to smoke. "Ils" (the Indians) "ne font du feu que pour
petuner."--Champlain's _Voyages en Nouvelle France_, 1632.
Although I have before represented the island of St. Domingo, I will
nevertheless figure the coast towards the channel of Bahan.
I have spoken above of the land of Florida; I will also say that it is
one of the best lands that can be desired; very fertile if it were
cultivated, but the king of Spain does not care for it because there
are no mines of gold or silver. There are great numbers of savages, who
make war against the Spaniards, who have a fort on a point of the said
land, where there is a harbour. The land is low, and for the most part
very agreeable.
Four days after passing Bermuda we had such a great tempest, that the
whole of our armament was more than six days without being able to keep
together. After the six days had passed, the weather becoming finer and
the sea more tranquil, we all reassembled, and had the wind favourable
till we perceived the Acores. The island of Terceira is shown here.
All vessels returning from the Indies must of necessity approach the
said islands of Acores to take their observations, otherwise they could
not with surety finish their route.
Having passed the isles of Acores, we came in sight of Cape St.
Vincent, where we captured two English ships which were armed for war;
and we took them to the river of Seville from whence we had departed,
and which was the termination of our voyage; which had occupied, since
our leaving the river of Seville, as well on sea as on land, two
(three) years and two months.